Catoctin Comprehensive Trail Plan

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comments on the development of a Comprehensive Trail System Plan/Environmental Assessment for Catoctin Mountain Park. The purpose of the project is to provide comprehensive guidance for enhancing the Park's trail system and visitor experience throughout the park in a manner that is sympathetic with the natural and cultural surroundings and balances resource protection with intended trail uses and long-term management. The plan will provide park managers with a framework by which they can manage and maintain existing trails; close/ realign existing trails when needed; add new trails and access points where appropriate; and, where feasible, create trails that are universally accessible to meet the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards.

A live, virtual public meeting will be held on March 10, 2021 from 6 to 8 p.m.

To connect to the meeting https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e83/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fteams.microsoft.com%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%253ameeting_MzM1ZTFkMTUtYWQxMC00MmNkLWJkYzctYTg0MTNjZWVjMmYw%2540thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%252216ed5ab4-2b59-4e40-806d-8a30bdc9cf26%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%252209007ca8-0d33-4ae5-aaaf-1539ef19504b%2522%257d&data=04%7C01%7Ctammy_stidham%40nps.gov%7C20dbb72afd654db14d2d08d8d384c08e%7C0693b5ba4b184d7b9341f32f400a5494%7C0%7C0%7C637491915871318280%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=lceSZMEWN4B64oKE5F6QPg1MVdfEEwbuk2IT3LnVd10%3D&reserved=0

To connect to audio, use the meeting website link above or dial (877) 286-5733 and enter conference ID 71676020#.

A recording of the meeting along with the meeting presentation materials will be available after March 10, 2021.

Public participation is vital to the planning process. There are several ways to get involved. The public is invited to review the proposal and provide comments and ideas through April 10, 2021. Public comments may also contain marked-up park maps to illustrate ideas. See link to park map below. Marked-up maps may be submitted via email to: CATO_Trails_Plan@aecom.com

The comments gathered will inform the NPS' development of an EA which will evaluate impacts to park resources, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.

Document Content:

Existing Park Trail Map - download and mark-up   (3.4 MB, PDF file) Proposed Park Trail Map   (1.8 MB, PDF file) March 10, 2021 Public Scoping Presentation - slides 1 - 25   (10.4 MB, PDF file) March 10, 2021 Public Scoping Presentation - slides 26 - 35   (8.9 MB, PDF file) March 10, 2021 Public Scoping Meeting Recording    Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.